A racoon awakes from his winter nap to find his tree being chopped down. An old frog decides that now is the time to see more of the world. A mouse gets upset because his tail is short – and because an owl wants to eat him for dinner. With his love and respect for nature and animals at his fingertips, Thornton W. Burgess‘ created some of the world‘s best children‘s stories with his first collection, `Old Mother West Wind‘ (1910). Each story has relatable characters and a subtle moral that is not at all preachy. This collection introduces some of Burgess‘ famous characters that would pop up in his later books, like Peter Rabbit and Bobby Raccoon. Thornton W. Burgess (1874-1965) was an American children‘s book author and naturalist. He wrote more than a hundred books and thousands of short stories until his death at 91 years old.

Svenska Ljud Classica

Old Mother West Wind

Young and mischievous Reddy Fox has been stealing chickens from Farmer Brown‘s boy, and now he and Granny Fox must outsmart him so they do not get caught. Along the way, Reddy encounters many of author Thornton W. Burgess‘ other beloved characters, like Drummer the Woodpecker and Peter Rabbit. And he learns many valuable lessons like the importance of sympathy and kindness, and the danger of showing off all the time. `The Adventures of Reddy Fox‘ (1913) is a funny, imaginative an thoroughly enjoyable story that manages to hold the child‘s attention while instilling important but subtle lessons. Thornton W. Burgess (1874-1965) was an American children‘s book author and naturalist. He wrote more than a hundred books and thousands of short stories until his death at 91 years old.

The Adventures of Reddy Fox

Thornton W. Burgess was a bird-watching, berry-picking student of nature, who took up writing children's stores including those collected in Old Mother West Wind "Where" Stories (1918). He writes about talking animals, but his characters remain true to their real-life counterparts. Each story explains how Old Mother Nature gives special attention to each creature's needs -- where Grandfather Frog got his big mouth, for example, and where Mr. Quack the duck got his webbed feet. Burgess sets his tales "when the world was young," back when Peter Rabbit's "great-great-ever-so-great grandfather" was a young hopper, and Old Mother Nature still had some work to do on basic designs. She sees that a duck needs webbed feet to swim, and a prairie dog needs a burrow designed to keep dry. Burgess's animals are proud of their unique features and abilities, but the real voice of enthusiasm is the author's own, sharing the delights he found in the woods of New England. Typical of the book's charm is the story of where "Dippy the loon got the name of being crazy." The bird is smarter than he looks -- and that's how Dippy always gets the last laugh.

Mother West Wind 'Where' Stories

Deep dive into the delightful collection of adventure animal tales from the creator of Peter Rabbit, Thornton W. Burgess. In ‘The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver’, we’ll join Paddy as he works to build his dam and protect his home. But when a group of humans threatens to destroy his beloved dam, can Paddy use his resourcefulness to save and secure his home, future, and fate? From escaping the clutches of Granny Fox in ‘The Adventures of Reddy Fox’ to learning valuable life lessons in ‘Old Mother West Wind’, the antics of the lovable animal characters of the Green Meadows and Green Forest will keep readers of all ages entertained. Weaving a thrilling animal adventure collection featuring furry friends such as Peter Rabbit and Reddy Fox, ‘Selected Thornton W. Burgess’ is the perfect companion for fans of Domhnall Gleeson and Rose Byrne in the animated adventure, ‘Peter Rabbit’. Thornton W. Burgess (1874-1965) was an American conservationist and children's author. He is best known for his series of bedtime stories featuring the character Peter Rabbit and other animals, which were published in numerous books and later adapted into a popular animated television show.

Books to Read Before You Die

Selected Thornton W. Burgess

Something strange is going on ... The waters of the Smiling Pool and the Laughing Brook have been mysteriously reduced to tiny streams and the creatures of the Green Forest are in a panic! Until they discover the reason: Paddy the Beaver has arrived to make a new home for himself and therefore stopped the flow of the waters. `The Adventures of Paddy Beaver‘ (1917) is another one of Thornton W. Burgess‘ wonderful stories set in the surroundings of nature and its inhabitants. He teaches children valuable lessons about friendship, trust and respect for the environment without ever being preachy. Thornton W. Burgess (1874-1965) was an American children‘s book author and naturalist. He wrote more than a hundred books and thousands of short stories until his death at 91 years old.

The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver

Little Joe Otter, Mrs. Otter, and the two Otter children go on a traveling adventure where the children learn about trappers, bobcats, and the great fun of a slippery slide.

Little Joe Otter

Peter Rabbit was on his way back from the pond of Paddy the Beaver deep in the Green Forest. He had just seen Mr. and Mrs. Quack start toward the Big River for a brief visit before leaving on their long, difficult journey to the far-away Southland. Farewells are always rather sad, and this particular farewell had left Peter with a lump in his throat, a queer, choky feeling.

The Adventures of Lightfoot the Deer

As the days grow colder, little Whitefoot the Wood Mouse decides it is time to find a warm, safe place to spend the winter. The happy little creature finds the perfect spot in Farmer Brown's barn, where he meets a friendly stranger, tumbles into a life-threatening situation, and learns the meaning of the word "trust."  A master storyteller, Thornton Burgess instills in his young readers important lessons about animals, nature, and the environment. Rich in the warmth, simplicity, and nostalgic charm of an earlier day, this entertaining tale will beguile today's youngsters as much as it enthralled children generations ago.

Whitefoot the Wood Mouse

This collection of ten classic rabbit tales will surely delight any “bunny” big or small. An adventure awaits you in every story written by some of the best-known children’s authors. Come along for the journey; it’s just a hop, skip and jump away! Includes the following stories: The Velveteen Rabbit – Margery WilliamsThe Easter Bunny – Laura Rountree SmithThe Happy Hare – Laura Rountree SmithThe Tale of Benjamin Bunny – Beatrix PotterThe Tale of Peter Rabbit – Beatrix PotterThe Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies – Beatrix PotterUncle Wiggly’s Rolling Hoop – Howard Roger GarisThe Little King’s Rabbits – Maud LindsayBunnikins-Bunnies and the Moon King – Edith B. DavidsonThe Adventures of Peter Cottontail – Thornton W. Burgess Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre is an audio imprint of Design Sound Productions.

The Bunny Collection

Chatterer the Red Squirrel finds himself in trouble again and is forced to abandon his old home. As the search for a new home begins, Chatterer's curiosity gets the better of him and a moment of carelessness causes him to stumble into a far different home than he ever imagined. This book is Thornton W. Burgess at his best as he captures the personalities and behaviors of the animals in the Green Forest delightfully well and tells a story of mischievousness and unexpected friendship.

The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel

Old Mr. Toad was acting strangely, and his behavior puzzled all the creatures of the Green Meadow. You see, he was in a hurry, and Old Mr. Toad NEVER hurried unless he was in danger. Where on earth could he be off to? To find out, Jimmy Skunk, Peter Cottontail, Unc' Billy Possum, and some other animals of the Green Forest secretly follow the old gentleman through the fields and woods as he makes his way to a very important engagement. Young readers will enjoy discovering Old Mr. Toad's destination in this delightful tale by master storyteller, Thornton W. Burgess. Set in the timeless fictional locale of the Green Forest and the Smiling Pool, this book transports today's youngsters to the same world of gentle breezes and lovable creatures that has delighted generations of children before then. There, they'll enjoy the warmth and whimsy of this tale while learning important lessons about nature, the environment, and the "lesser folk of fur and feathers."

The Adventures of Old Mr. Toad

In the early days of Boy Scouts of America, the focus was on building men from the boys. The boys learned honor, discipline, brotherhood, and the many facets of Woodcraft: the skills needed to survive and thrive in the wild. Walter Upton comes to this remote camp eager to put his "book learning" to use. He learns that, though the information in the books has some value, real learning comes from experience in the wilderness and from striving alongside his fellow Scouts. Along the way, he also gets to teach others the importance of character and the hope it brings to the rest of life's endeavors.

The Boy Scouts of Woodcraft Camp

The Adventures of Peter Cottontail recounts the hijinks of one of the most endearing and beloved creatures in children's literature. Full of mischief (and then remorse), Peter has exploits that are delightfully recognizable to anyone who has children and will surely tickle yet another generation of young readers.    Peter Cottontail's efforts to outwit the ever-hungry Reddy Fox lead to a number of whisker-thin escapes, and his fascination with the hibernation of some of his neighbors, such as Johnny Chuck, leads to his decision to hibernate . . . with riotous consequences.

The Adventures of Peter Cottontail

The Adventures of Reddy Fox is another in the series of children's stories by conservationist Thornton W. Burgess. In this story, Reddy and Granny Fox must outsmart Farmer Brown's Boy who is out to get Reddy for stealing his pet chicken. Along the way, Reddy encounters many of the citizens of the Green Meadows and the Green Forest and with him we learn little lessons about life such as: the perils of being a show off; the importance of using all of one's senses; that it is a fine thing to show sympathy and kindness to others – even our enemies; and that the value of a grandmother's wisdom is inestimable. We also learn that after you've stolen a boy's pet chicken and he is coming your way with a gun, a shovel and a hound dog, it may be time to beat a hasty retreat.

When Jimmy Skunk curls up to take a nap in an old barrel, the imp of mischief gets the better of Peter Rabbit. Tons of trouble plague the long-eared prankster after he decides it'd be great fun to see the barrel — with Jimmy inside — roll down from its resting point high on a hill.  Reddy Fox gets the blame for Jimmy's wild ride (as well as a dose of the skunk's "perfume"); Peter gets his comeuppance for playing nasty tricks; and before the day is out, Jimmy Skunk and Unc' Billy Possum go egg-hunting and wind up in a pretty pickle in Farmer Brown's henhouse.  Children will delight in these warm, whimsical adventures that combine all the interest and excitement of a good story with gentle lessons about nature, wildlife and such virtues as courtesy, kindness, and preparedness.

The Adventures of Jimmy Skunk

Bowser the Hound isn't very clever — certainly not as clever as Old Man Coyote, who's full of tricks! There's one thing, though, that Bowser's really good at, and that's pursuing someone who'll give him a long, hard run. Actually, he'll go without eating just for the pleasure of chasing Reddy and Granny Fox or Old Man Coyote. One day, Bowser gets more than he bargained for when Old Man Coyote decides to lead him on a long chase, just for fun, and make Bowser run and run. In fact, Bowser runs out of the forest and the old pasture until he's so far from home, he feels as if he is in another country. But with the help of Blacky the Crow and other friends, Bowser finally gets even with the old coyote. Young readers and nature lovers of all ages will love this appealing story of exciting animal life in the Green Forest.

Bowser the Hound

The Adventures of Buster Bear is another set of children's stories by the conservationist, Thornton W. Burgess. Buster Bear has many adventures and misadventures as he meets the different characters in the Green Forest near the Laughing Brook. Along the way, we learn about the habits of Buster and his friends and we learn little lessons about life such as the importance of sharing, not stealing, making friends and not sticking one's head into tin pails.

The Adventures of Buster Bear

When Bobby the Coon awakens from his long winter hibernation, he finds Farmer Brown and his boy chopping down the chestnut tree that is his home. But Bobby's escape attempt results in a broken leg. Will he heal fast enough and well enough for him to find a new home before it's time to hibernate again?

The Adventures of Bobby Coon

Old Granny Fox Thornton W. Burgess - Burgess presents life as a fox and the struggles that Old Granny Fox and her nephew, Reddy, find themselves. Winter is hard when mice, birds and rabbits are not available. But Reddy Fox thinks it will be as easy as pie to steal Farmer Brown's chickens by daylight and then elude Bowser the Hound. What will happen?

Old Granny Fox

When the adventurous Walter Upton and Hal Harrison set out with the young, but expert guide Louis Woodhull on a canoe trip through the wilderness, they were disappointed to take on an excitable Tenderfoot with them as their fourth. The boys had no idea what sorts of surprises awaited them from Nature, History, and even themselves. Would their training, equipment, and sense of camaraderie be enough to see them safely down Swift River?

The Boy Scouts on Swift River

A wonderful book in which we meet the lucky little bunny who becomes Mrs. Peter Rabbit! This is one of many delightful animal books written by Thornton W. Burgess. I grew up reading and enjoying these tales of talking animals with fun and varied personalities. Peter Rabbit is a character loved by all, and this charming tale recounts the adventures of meeting, wooing, and marrying Mrs. Peter Rabbit.

Mrs. Peter Rabbit

This is the story about Tommy and how he came to better understand the animals around him. Tommy has a favourite stone that he likes to sit upon to think about his day and ponder his troubles. He comes to name this stone the wishing-stone, as it seems to grant his impulsive wishes to become various animals that happen to cross his path while sitting there. Tommy learns first-hand about the exciting life of these animals and gains a new perspective after each exciting adventure.

Tommy and the Wishing Stone

Thornton Waldo Burgess (January 14, 1874 – June 5, 1965) was a conservationist and author of children's stories. He loved the beauty of nature and its living creatures so much that he wrote about them for 50 years. By the time he retired, he had written more than 170 books. Many of his outdoor observations in nature were used as plots for his stories. In his first book, "Old Mother West Wind," published in 1910, the reader meets many of the characters found in later books and stories. These characters include Peter Rabbit, Jimmy Skunk, Sammy Jay, Bobby Raccoon, Joe Otter, Grandfather Frog, Billy Mink, Jerry Muskrat, Spotty the Turtle and of course, Old Mother West Wind and her Merry Little Breezes.

Spring has arrived at the Green Meadow and Johnny Chuck is strangely discontent. On a whim, he offers Jimmy Skunk his house and then wanders off. Along the way, he gets into a fight with a strange woodchuck and, after a bruising battle, chases the intruder off. At that point, Johnny is feeling rather unconquerable — that is, until Polly Chuck uses her feminine charms to capture his heart. Before long, the two are happily keeping house in a burrow in the old orchard. Thornton W. Burgess, the author of many delightful classics for children, draws young readers into a timeless world of woodland creatures, teaching children important lessons about nature by basing the animals' actions and adventures on actual wildlife behavior.

The Adventures of Johnny Chuck

Old Granny Fox and grandson Reddy Fox must use all their cunning to hunt up enough food to survive the long winter. Food in the Green Meadow is scarce but Farmer Brown's hens are locked up tight and protected by Bowser the Hound, so Granny takes a conceited Reddy hunting and teaches him some surprising new tricks to lure in their dinner. Old Granny and Reddy Fox encounter danger and adventure in their quests to keep their bellies full, including a close encounter with Farmer Brown's boy, a clever plot to steal Bowser's food, and an unforeseen thief who might outsmart this sneaky pair.

A plump little meadow mouse is always an inviting target for hungry hunters in the Green Meadows. This certainly should give Danny Meadow Mouse enough cause for concern; but lately, he's been worrying about something else — his short tail! In fact, he wants so much to have a different tail that he almost forgets to take care of the one he has.  Danny spends much of his time avoiding the likes of Hooty the Owl, who drifts effortlessly above him in the open air; Reddy Fox and old Granny Fox, who stalk him as he races through snow tunnels; Mr. Blacksnake, who silently slithers after him through the grass; and other pesky predators.  Youngsters will enjoy listening to the adventures of the plucky vole and his friends as they explore Farmer Brown's orchard, the Old Briar-patch, and the enchanting world of the Green Forest.

The Adventures of Danny Meadow Mouse

"You can't fool old Mother Nature. No, Sir, you can't fool old Mother Nature, and it's of no use to try." The animals of the Green Meadows and Green Forest have little adventures while Grandfather Frog tells stories to Mother West Wind's children, the Merry Little Breezes.

Mother West Wind's Children

Happy Jack Squirrel fills his days with fun and foolishness — even while jealously guarding his winter supply of hickory nuts from his mischief-making cousin, Chatterer the Red Squirrel, and playful Striped Chipmunk.  But the bouncing, bushy-tailed creature's days of comfort and security are threatened when he wakes one morning to find his worst dream come true: Shadow the Weasel is close by, and Happy Jack finds himself running for his life, trying every trick he knows to get away from his enemy.  With gentle charm and good-natured humor, master storyteller Thornton Burgess once again draws youngsters into the timeless world of the Green Forest and the Green Meadows where young listener learn about nature and are encouraged to love the "lesser folk in fur and feathers."

The Adventures of Happy Jack

There's nothing that sly troublemaker Sammy Jay likes better than stealing corn - unless it's playing tricks on the other animals in the forest. Yet Chatterer the Red Squirrel would like to keep his corn, thank you very much, and while he's at it prove he is just as smart as Sammy Jay! Thornton Burgess takes us once again into the charming world of the Green Forest and Green Meadows in this delightful story.

The Adventures of Sammy Jay

Walter Upton again sets out with a group of boys on a great adventure in the North Woods, this time on foot. They've heard of a trail that had been used in the days of the settlers, and are seeking to locate and map it all the way to Canada. Their journey will test the skills they have, as well as learn new ones as they develop from boys to men, and learn to handle situations they never considered.

The Boy Scouts on Lost Trail

Tuktu and her brother, Aklak, are Eskimo children who live happily with their beloved reindeer in the Northland. When Tuktu is lost in a fog, she meets Santa Claus or the Good Spirit as she knows him. This generous little girl wants to share her reindeer with the children of the world and so works to help Santa on his annual Christmas journey.

The Christmas Reindeer

Blacky the Crow is a clever rascal who lives in the Green Forest and Meadow. He loves to play tricks on the other little people who are his neighbours, and is curious about Farmer Brown's Boy. Blacky is always thinking about what is right and what is wrong, but he still gets into all kinds of mischief.

Blacky the Crow

Mother Bear has a secret! In fact, she has two of them. They're her brand new cubs — Boxer and Woof-Woof. The arrival of the Green Forest's newest inhabitants has Peter Rabbit, Chatterer the Red Squirrel, Prickly Porky, Hooty the Owl, and other forest creatures all astir over the goings-on in the Bear household. Young listener, too, can share the excitement as they learn how the twins get even with Peter Rabbit, find out what happens when the bears meet their father, discover why Mother Bear has to rescue her cubs, learn why Boxer gets a spanking, and much more. Brimming with traditional values, gentle humor, and real lessons about nature and wildlife, Thornton Burgess's engaging tale reveals why he's a grandmaster at storytelling.

Buster Bear's Twins

The Adventures of Paddy Beaver is another in the long list of children's books by the conservationist, Thornton W. Burgess. In this book, the industrious and clever Paddy Beaver, a newcomer to the Green Forest, has encounters with Sammy Jay, Jerry Muskrat, Ol' Man Coyote and other inhabitants of the Green Forest. Along the way, we learn how Paddy builds his dam and his house, and how he stores his food. We also learn little lessons about life, such as the importance of planning before doing, caring for Nature, trusting others, the benefits of working together and how wonderful it is to have a job one can sink one's teeth into.

The Adventures of Paddy Beaver

There's a big mystery brewing among the animals of the Green Forest — and it's all because of a strange little creature with no head, legs, or tail that came rolling down a hill and gave Peter Cottontail the fright of his life. What could it be? Young readers and listeners will love finding out about this and other interesting goings-on in the Forest as they learn how Prickly Porky made friends, what made Old Granny Fox lose her dignity, why Old Man Coyote lost his appetite, and more. Written by master storyteller Thornton W. Burgess, this classic combines all the fun of a good story with gentle lessons about wildlife, the environment, and human virtues.

The Adventures of Prickly Porky

Even in the peaceful, sun-splashed world of the Green Forest, the Laughing Brook, and the Smiling Pool, trouble sometimes makes an appearance and disturbs the lives of the animals living there. And so it is in this charming story about Jerry Muskrat and his friends Little Joe Otter, Spotty the Turtle, Grandfather Frog, and Billy Mink. First, Farmer Brown's boy has set nasty traps all around the Smiling Pool and that spells trouble for Jerry and the other creatures who live in and around the Pool. Wise old Grandfather Frog must think long and hard to come up with a solution for that problem. Then, suddenly, the water in the Laughing Brook stops flowing and before long, the Smiling Pool drops to alarming levels. Something must be done, but what? Children will love finding out as they listen to this classic Thornton W. Burgess fable, which combines the fun of a good story with important lessons about kindness, stick-to-itiveness, cooperation, and other virtues.

The Adventures of Jerry Muskrat

We are brought on a couple of adventures with Walter Upton and his Boy Scout friends, this time in Winter. In The Boy Scouts in a Trappers' Camp, the boys learn a whole new set of skills and have to show their greatest level of bravery yet. This is the fourth, and final book in the Boy Scouts' adventures, and does a wonderful job of showing the value that Scouting has brought to their lives in skills they will always have, wisdom upon which they can always build, and memories that they will always cherish.

The Boy Scouts in a Trapper's Camp

The Adventures of Bob White is another in the long line of children's books by conservationist Thornton W. Burgess. In this book, Bob White and Mrs. Bob White make a new home near the Old Briar Patch where they become neighbors with Peter Rabbit. We learn what Bob White likes to eat, how he protects his nest from being discovered, and who his friends and his enemies are. We also learn that sometimes it's not good to know everything, that arithmetic can be a useful tool, and that a Bob White needs to stay far away from the two-legged creatures who carry fire-sticks.

The Adventures of Bob White

"Listen," whispered Jimmy Skunk to Peter Rabbit as the strange howling sound echoed through the Green Forest. But Peter was listening. He had never heard anything like it. The sound made cold chills run up and down his backbone. What could it be? Children will love finding out as Peter Rabbit, Jimmy Skunk, Prickly Porky, Granny Fox, Reddy Fox, and other dwellers in the Green Forest react to a new — and scary — neighbor. All ends happily, of course, in this timeless fable by noted storyteller Thornton W. Burgess. Reprinted in large, easy-to-read type and enhanced with six new illustrations, based on the Harrison Cady originals, this book combines the fun of a good story with gentle lessons about nature, wildlife, and proper behavior.

The Adventures of Old Man Coyote

Welcome to the ageless world of the Green Forest, the Smiling Pool, and the Purple Mountains! There, you’ll meet a rabbit named Peter who one day became so unhappy about his plain-sounding name he decided to change it to Peter Cottontail because he felt it made him sound more important. He began putting on airs to live up to his important-sounding name, but after much teasing from his friends, he soon returned to his original name because, as he put it, “There’s nothing like the old name after all.” Journey along with Peter and all the little meadow and forest creatures in this whimsical tale as told by famed storyteller Thornton W. Burgess. This childhood classic will delight children of all ages.

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